The TV presenter is stepping down from the property renovation show to pursue other opportunities.

She tweeted: "It's with s huge heavy heart I'm stepping down, it's not the outcome I wanted but to pursue other work and a commercial deal I had to leave."

Alexander, 45, added: "I will miss my TV husband @TVMartinRoberts hugely we have had 13 happy years together!.. time to move on though. Xxxx"

The tweets came after news broke on Friday that she was quitting the show, leaving Martin Roberts and Dion Dublin to lead the team of presenters.

Dan McGolpin, controller of BBC daytime and early-peak, said: "Over the last 13 years, millions of viewers have enjoyed Lucy's infectious enthusiasm for property renovation; she has inspired many of us to improve our own homes or to invest and improve properties that badly need it - Britain's housing stock owes her a great debt!

"I'd like to thank Lucy for all of the hard work she has put in, she has been there since the start and has helped to make Homes Under The Hammer one of the most informative, helpful and best-loved series of its kind."

Alexander said in a statement: "I have loved being part of Homes Under The Hammer, it's been my life for 13 years, I have loved every minute and the whole team that have made the programme such a success, but it's time for a change."

The TV presenter will leave the show this month and will not be filming any more episodes, but her final series has yet to air.

She tweeted: "There's still a brand new exciting series to go out so I'm not off your screen yet! At least another few years!! Xxx"